Bernstein Medical - Center for Hair Restoration » Genetic Hair Loss

What are Most Common Causes of Hair Loss in Women?

Robert M. Bernstein M.D. — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 08:21:21 +0000

Q: What are the most common causes of hair loss in women other than genes?

A: For localized hair loss the most common causes are traction (due to tight braiding) and alopecia areata (an autoimmune disease that produces smooth round patches of hair loss).

Other than genetic (hereditary) thinning; generalized hair loss is most commonly caused by medications, anemia, and thyroid disease.

What Causes Hair Loss in Women and How do You Treat General Thinning?

Robert M. Bernstein M.D. — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 04:32:00 +0000

Q: I’ve been losing my hair just around the front of my scalp for years, but now it’s bad enough that I need to wear a wig to hide the top and back. Do you transplant women?

A: If you have thinning in such a broad area, most likely your donor area is also thin and you would not be a good candidate for surgery.

An examination can determine this and also determine if there is some other cause of your hair loss other than genetics.

What Hair Loss Treatment Can Prevent Hairline Retreat, Thinning?

Robert M. Bernstein M.D. — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 04:34:00 +0000

Q: I am having hair thinning and retreating from the front part of the scalp. According to Norwood’s classification I rank a category III. From what I see on the Rogaine pack it is used in hereditary hair loss on the (vertex) on top of the scalp. Any recommendations?

A: Minoxidil does work on the front of the scalp to prevent the progression of hair loss and may thicken areas of early thinning, although it won’t re-grow hair in areas that are bald.

I would also consider using finasteride (the active ingredient in the hair loss medication Propecia) as this will also work on the front of the scalp to prevent further hair loss and to increase areas of thinning – and it is more effective than minoxidil.

Is Hair Loss Determined by Age or Family History?

Robert M. Bernstein M.D. — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 06:26:00 +0000

Q: Why do some people have a full head of hair into their seventies or eighties and others start to go bald in their late teens or early twenties?

A: The difference is genetic with the inheritance coming from either side of the family.

Although a person will have the genes his/her whole life, a gene’s expression (also called phenotype) can be quite variable. The factors that cause this variability is still unknown.

Do Genes Cause Male Pattern Baldness and if so Which Ones?

Robert M. Bernstein M.D. — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:10:10 +0000

Q: What are the genes that cause male pattern baldness?

A: At this time the genes that actually cause hair loss are still unknown.

However, there are two gene loci, recently identified, that appear to be associated with common baldness. The first is on the Androgen Receptor (AR) gene carried on the x-chromosome and the second is a non-sex chromosome 20p11.